Don’t Set Sail Without These 20 Carry-On Must-Haves (+2 You Always Forget)

Packing for a cruise? Your carry-on bag is more important than you think. Your checked luggage might not show up in your cabin for hours. You need a few things right away.

And here’s the catch: two critical items are almost always forgotten. They’re listed at the end. Don’t miss them.

Here are 20 smart things to pack in your cruise vacation carry-on:

1. Passport and ID
   You can’t board the ship without these. Check expiration dates. Store them where you can reach them fast.

2. Cruise Documents
   Bring your boarding pass and reservation details. Keep printed copies or download them offline.

3. Credit Card and Small Cash
   Have a credit card ready for charges. Keep small bills for tips and ports.

4. Phone and Charger
   Your phone handles check-in, photos, maps, and more. Charge before boarding. Pack your cord.

5. Prescription Medications
   Ships won’t have your meds. Bring enough for your whole trip—and a little extra just in case.

6. Toothbrush and Toothpaste
   You’ll want to freshen up after boarding. Ships often don’t provide oral care items.

7. Deodorant
   It gets warm during embarkation. Apply before you sweat through your shirt.

8. Change of Clothes
   Simple is best: shirt, shorts, underwear. If your luggage is late, you’ll be glad you packed it.

9. Swimsuit
   The pools open early. Be ready to jump in without waiting for your suitcase.

10. Flip-Flops or Sandals
    Comfortable footwear helps you explore the ship from the start.

11. Sunscreen (Travel Size)
    Sunburn can hit fast at sea. I bad sunburn can ruin your trip!

12. Sunglasses
    Protect your eyes from bright ocean glare. Polarized lenses are best.

13. Lip Balm with SPF
    I forgot mine once. It took two days to find one on the ship—and it cost way too much. Don’t skip this.

14. Reusable Water Bottle
    Stay hydrated and skip overpriced plastic. Ships usually have refill stations.

15. Headphones or Earbuds
    Great for music, podcasts, or blocking noise. Especially during boarding.

16. Snacks
    Keep your energy up with a protein bar or some trail mix.

17. Motion Sickness Relief
    Even calm seas can surprise you. Ginger chews, pills, or patches all work.

18. Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer
    Lots of shared spaces on board. Clean hands mean fewer germs.

19. Book or E-Reader
    A good read helps pass the time on deck or in line.

20. Pen and Paper
    Useful for filling out customs forms or taking quick notes.

Now for the two often-forgotten essentials:

21. Portable Power Bank
    Phones die fast on travel days. Keep yours powered without hunting for an outlet.

22. Travel-Size Pack of Tissues
    Surprisingly handy for runny noses, spills, or less-than-stocked restrooms—especially on embarkation day.

Still narrowing down what goes in your bag?

Picture this: you’re onboard, your luggage is hours away, and you need to unwind.

What would you want right then?

Keep your carry-on light but loaded with what actually matters for day one.

Pack smart. Start relaxed. Let the cruise take care of the rest.

Tara